Small steps will help you finish the Big Run

To get the most out of your training program, many of you set an ultimate goal — the BMO Marathon or Half Marathon.

Before you run that race, you must first train consistently. It can help to run some smaller, shorter-distance races as targets to test your fitness.

Experienced runners will tell you that the true reward comes from the training, not the marathon itself.

To help you along the way, in both assessment and encouragement, a race can be used to evaluate your training and fitness. The race is a chance to simulate the marathon.

You experience the start-line excitement, the nervous moments before the race, practice hydration and nutrition under race conditions. Most importantly, you have an opportunity to work on your pacing.

For many of you, the Sun Run offers a chance to do just this. An approach that will give you a sense of race conditions and the experience of running at race pace while fatigued. You can even practice your smile and wave for the finish line.

Use your race to review and adapt your training while optimizing your race day results.

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